Guardian Of The Grove (13 page)

“All right, man. I got the lowdown on our beastie, and it’s nasty, real nasty,” Marcus said. I made a motion for him to continue. “So these things are gross, humanoid in nature, but they like to feast on human flesh. Yes, that’s right, cannibalism, and lots of it. Something in them changes when they consume human flesh. The word is that their hearts turn to ice. The human flesh also warps their bodies.”

“Warps them how?” April asked.

“Their arms get longer, their teeth sharper for tearing meat, and they get stronger and faster. If your next question is how strong, or how fast, no one knows for sure. My guy said that it depends on a few factors, but at least two to three times human normal.”

“Well, how do we stop one?” Alby asked.

“That’s the thing. We have to destroy its heart. So if we were to, say, deliver a working heart to someone, it would be like the essence of pure evil, and whoever consumed it would become a wendigo.”

Marcus clapped his hands to get our attention again. “Oh, one more thing. Their skin is super strong. Resistant to blades, although my guy didn’t know how resistant, though.”

“Sounds like your guy needs to get updated,” I said with a sigh of frustration.

“That’s the thing, bro. He said no one tangles with these things. They leave a trail of bodies in their wake. No solid information, because most people who go up against one don’t come back.”

“Well, that isn’t happening today.” Everyone sitting around the kitchen island nodded. Good, I needed them to believe we could handle this. “So do you think if I told the detective that we needed to know about any cannibalism incidents, that would be enough?”

Alby leaned forward. “I would ask her to look into home invasions where the bodies had gone missing or there were reports of violence by an attacker without a weapon.”

“Anyone else?”

Everyone was quiet, so I picked up the phone and dialed the detective. I gave her the new parameters, and she wasn’t too thrilled about them. She told me to stay put while she looked them up. It would take a couple of hours to go through the reports from the last twenty-four hours, and she would get back to me with anything that matched.

“Seems like we have some time to kill. Anyone up for a run?” Alby and April nodded their heads and departed to grab some workout clothes. I was just going to go in what I had on and change when I got back.

Marcus looked at me, his eyebrows wiggling. “So things seem better between you and April.”

“They are.”

“So where does that leave Britta and our blonde friend?”

“Alby and I have always just been friends.” He gave me a look that said he didn’t buy it. “As for Britta, she gets to hear the answer to that question first.”

“So you think you can hook me up with Alby?”

“Nope, that’s something you have to do on your own.”

“Come on, bro.”

“Seriously, man, I can’t help you there. If you want to know more about her, then talk to her.” He gave me a look as if I had betrayed everything that mattered. That I had broken the proverbial guy code. “Don’t be scared; she only beat April up once.”

“Not cool, man, not cool.”

L
eaving
Jackson still didn’t feel right, but we had different jobs to do. If I could wrap this meeting up quick enough, maybe I would be able to get back to them before they were in too much danger. Something was off with Shalana. How could she not recognize me after all we had been through together? I had been there when her son died, and she had been there when mine was born. That was a bond you didn’t easily forget.

If something had happened to her, or her mind, then what did that mean for the grove? It was deeply ingrained in the Fae culture not to challenge their leaders. Respect was earned, and Shalana had earned a lot of it. The last time someone had challenged for control of the grove, it was Shalana, and that was four hundred years ago. She had killed the previous guardian and ushered the grove into the future.

Who would challenge her now? If it came down to it, none of the elders were true fighters. Shalana had seen to that when she had appointed them. None of her guards would do it even if they sensed something was wrong. I had noticed a few of them shake their heads when Shalana had spoken to me, but none of them were bold enough to vie for leadership. Whatever happened later, it was going to be a mess, and one that we needed to steer clear of.

The drive through the valley and up onto Mount Lemon was peaceful. The heat of the day was stripped away by the change in elevation. The desert floor slowly gave way to the pine tree forest. It was amazing that a few hours from the city and you could be on top of a mountain and the temperature dropped by twenty degrees. It was a wonderful change of pace from the bustling life in the city.

The pack had always kept a separate logging on the mountain. They ran most of their pack events there, preferring to run through the forest instead of the desert. The space was also less inhabited by humans, and their actions less likely to get noticed. It was interesting that our conversation was being held here now, instead of at the house in the city as it was before. That meant something was going on; the change of venue was significant in some way.

All pack disputes were also settled at this location. The alpha would have more power here and would not be confined by the rules that governed the pack in the city. If I hadn’t known the man for over two hundred years, I would have thought I was walking into a trap. He hated the fact that I wanted to recruit some of his members into the Ascendancy. It would weaken his pack and his standing in the area. If there was any other way to get the people I needed, I would take it, but there just wasn’t time.

Two guards were posted at the edge of the property. They made a hand signal that it was ok for me to enter as I pulled up and the gate opened. The lodge was set back into the hills about an acre from the gate. I wove through the trees until the beautiful log structure came into view. It towered amongst the pines. Now it was three stories tall; the pack must have grown in numbers since I last visited, to need a building so large. That could work in my favor, losing a few members wouldn’t be as much of a slight if the pack was this strong.

The alpha’s son walked out of the front doors to meet me as I exited the Jeep. He walked with his back straight and his head held high. One day he would challenge his father for the pack, or be forced to start his own. He held out his hand to me. “Sarah, are you sure that I can’t convince you to just turn around? The old man is in one of his moods today.”

“I wish I could, if for no other reason than the chance to remain friends. What I am asking for benefits all of us too much for me to turn back now. If the demons do come again, and there is every indication that they are already here, then we need to be ready. The Ascendancy can’t battle them without our help.”

“Some people have said that you only feel this way because you married one of them. That you have been twisted, and only want to betray our people.”

“Sounds like something your father would say.”

“Indeed, but his word is law.”

That was a not-so-subtle hint about what I was going to be up against. It had always been a long shot that I would find common ground with Michael, but I had hoped with time he had changed. Leaving the other day to get Jackson out of the police station might have been a mistake. It only seemed to have infuriated him. The change of location was also something I hadn’t planned for. The more I thought about it, the more it felt like he had a purpose behind his actions. He was going to try and force my hand.

I smiled at Max, letting him know that I understood what he was telling me. This trip would not go as I had hoped. “Max, can you tell me why we are meeting out here?”

“There is a pack function at sundown.”

Sundown was the traditional time for a fight to be decided or a judgment to be made. “And am I part of this pack function?”

His smile grew tight, and he shrugged. “Let’s head inside. My father eagerly awaits your presence.”

It seemed that I would be doing more than negotiating today. His simple shrug told me all that I needed to know. Before the night was over, I had the feeling I would be fighting for my life.

Michael was waiting for us on the back porch of the property, looking out over his lands. The fighting pit could clearly be seen from here. He turned toward us as we exited the house. I could see why he had been alpha for so long. He had dark hair and eyes to match. He was dressed in a loose-fitting button-down shirt and jeans. The shirt was open just enough to show the muscles of his chest. He had sleeves rolled up, and the corded muscles of his forearms stood out. Any female in his pack could have done worse if they were seeking a mate.

He stepped toward me, wearing a grin that many women had fallen victim to over the years. The smile didn’t extend to his eyes; those remained cold and calculating. I accepted his hand in greeting. Something had happened since we spoke on the phone. He had been angry then. This calmness that he was displaying put me on edge. I wondered if he was making this choice on his own or if someone else had reached out to him. It wouldn’t shock me if he had been offered something to make an example out of me.

“Welcome back. I hope the drive wasn’t too long.”

It was long enough that it put me further away from my son than I would have liked. “The mountain is a pleasant relief from the city.”

“It is, isn’t it? Welcome to my home away from home.”

“It’s grown much larger since the last time I visited.”

“My pack grows and flourishes under my leadership, and with the help of my son.” He put a hand on Max’s shoulder and gave it an affectionate squeeze before returning his gaze to me. “That is why it is so troubling that you are here now. Just your presence has sent ripples through our pack. They know why you are here, and are looking toward us for guidance on how to approach you.”

“Have you decided if you will let me speak with them?”

“In many ways, the decision made itself. You do not have my leave to engage members of my pack to join your cause.”

I hadn’t really expected him to say yes, but I had to try the easy way first. Because I had stepped down from leadership, many of the alphas viewed me as weak. They tended to forget that I had run the strongest and most feared pack for a hundred years. No one trained as hard and faced more battles successfully than the Lycans who had stood by my side in the Ascendancy. I understood the games Michael was playing, but I loathed them now. Our world was at stake; we needed to band together, not find ways to fight against each other.

That was where the demons had us beat. They would come at us as a unified horde. They wouldn’t fight against each other until they had secured this realm for their own. Then and only then would they fall upon each other in hopes of controlling this world. By fighting against each other, we were only making it easier for them to kill us all.

“With all due respect, Michael, I can’t abide by that decision. They need to know what we are facing and be able to make that choice for themselves.” A snarl escaped from his throat, and he took a step toward me. “I only came to you as a courtesy, not to ask permission.”

His rage boiled over, and spittle flew from his mouth as he screamed at me. “Here in my home, on my pack's lands, you dare to question the decision that I have made?”

It was interesting that he made the distinction of this being pack lands. He was working himself up to something. “I didn’t question your judgment; I’m stating that for all intents and purposes, in this one instance, that it is completely irrelevant. The fight against the demons is more important than how you or I feel.”

He spat on the floor at my feet. “Your demons are nothing more than fairytales. You live a sad and lonely life, Sarah. You have forgotten what it means to be one of the pack. You have come here to spread lies and plant the seeds of corruption in my pack, and I won’t let you do that.”

“A true warrior would relish the challenge the demons present, not cower in his home. You have forgotten what it means to be alpha. You lead your people to destruction.”

He waved his hand around as if he wanted to point out all that surrounded us. “We have only grown stronger in recent years. Our ranks have swelled, and our people are happy. You don’t have the right to change that. Leave our city and never come back. If we see or hear of you again, you will be marked for death.”

I laughed. He reached back to strike me, and when the blow came, I caught his wrist. I held it firm and an inch away from my cheek. “You have left me only one path to take. I challenge you for alpha.”

This time, he laughed. “You are not a member of this pack; you cannot challenge me.” He snapped his fingers. “Toss this piece of trash out of our home.”

Four men walked out of the shadows and stalked toward me with a grim purpose. I kept my eyes fixed on the alpha. Things were about to get bloody, and quickly. When the guards got close enough, I would shift and go straight for Michael. With him down, I stood a fairly good chance of making it out of here alive.

Max moved next to me as I tensed. “Father, this isn’t right.”

“So you’ve finally grown a set of balls, but do you have the courage to back your words up with action? Will you challenge me for the pack?”

The four men drew closer; they laughed at the alpha’s joke at his son's expense. I could feel the beast stirring inside of me. I was ready to go to war. None of them would be able to stop me.

Max moved into his father’s face. “No, but I will lend my support to Sarah, and as the pack’s second, that is all she needs to challenge you for control of the pack.” The laughter fell away from the men who were advancing on me. They looked from Max to their alpha, unsure of what to do next.

“I haven’t changed my decision. Get rid of her.” He turned around as if the matter had been decided.

The four men had stopped, and now they slowly moved back to where they had been standing. “It looks as if your pack has more honor than their alpha.” I said with a scathing tone as I watched the men retreat.

Michael turned back to face me, noting that his men had retreated. He looked at his son with hate-filled eyes. I could smell the rage coming off of him. He kept the boiling mass of anger contained just below the surface. “You would support her. Put her in front of your family, your pack, and for what? So she can sell you a fairytale? You put everything we have been working toward at risk, for nothing.”

“I would put the pack at risk for something that would destroy it. This is a real threat; your money and power mean nothing if the pack doesn’t live to benefit from it.”

“You disgust me. When she loses, you will be exiled. As far as I am concerned, as of right now, I have no son.”

“I will see you at sunset, Father. Either way for the last time.”

Max placed a hand on the small of my back and led me into the house. At least I wouldn’t have to wait much longer. This would be decided today, and then I could get back to my son. The thought of waiting until sunset was killing me. Jackson could be in trouble right now, or worse, fighting for his very life. I needed to talk with Max. I had no intention of taking over the pack. If I won, I needed to hand it off to someone I could trust. He seemed like just the person to take control. My goal was to recruit a few warriors and to build a friendship with the pack. If we needed their help, I needed to know they would come at my call.

* * *

T
he hours leading
to sunset had been brutal. I spent the entire time wondering what was happening to Jackson, and afraid to call him in fear that he would drop what he was doing and come to me. They had locked me in a room with guards posted at the door. Even Max had been denied entrance when he asked. I felt a sense of surprise when Max opened the door. He shuffled into the room, looking weary and tired. I was sure he had spent most of the day trying to secure the support we would need for a smooth transition. His arrival meant the wait for the battle was over, and now it was time to do something that came almost naturally to me—fight.

“I’ll be back to take you to the pit in five minutes,” he said without a hint of energy. The way his shoulders were set, he already looked defeated. That meant that despite all of his efforts, more people stood with his father than against him.